Folding Step Stool

This is a folding step stool I made from plans listed in Woodsmtih #183. It’s made from qtr sawn white oak, and finished with a tint/dye stain, sprayed with amber shellac, then some dark brown paste wax.

Normally I’ll modify or create my own design from other plans I see, but on this one, i stuck to the plans %100. I really love the design: it is lightweight, but strong, and folds down very flat. I chose very straight material for the thin legs, knowing they would have to be strong. The mortise/tenon joinery was a challenge, as the 4/4 stock after dimensioning was about 3/4, meaning the mortises were a hair over 1/4” thick, 3/4” deep. I really took my time on getting the joinery to fit perfectly, and it paid off. All 10 m/t joints were snug, and completely square, and the assembly had everything in square without any need to adjust it.

After my wife tested it, I went up too, (all 240 lbs of me) to the top step with no issues. It is strong, sound, and should hopefully last a long time.